There’s an artwork to a songwriter’s pitch to writer alternatives. You possibly can keep away from most of the errors I made early on in the event you do this stuff if you get an opportunity to pitch to a writer.
1. Earlier than you even comply with the assembly, ask your self
“Are my songs REALLY radio/recording artist prepared? Are they going to compete with every little thing this writer hears day-after-day?” If you happen to can’t actually reply that query you then don’t have to take the assembly. I’ve heard songs pitched to a writer that have been so dangerous that an artist would by no means lower them in 1,000,000 years. Get a number of good suggestions in your songs from “Secure” folks that can inform you the reality. Secure persons are folks that aren’t going to carry it in opposition to you in the event you play them a nasty music. Clay and I are secure folks. Publishers should not. They normally offer you one probability. So your songwriter’s pitch must be hermetic.
2. Be businesslike if you pitch songs to publishers.
Don’t name-drop. Impress them together with your songs, not with who you’ve labored with or who . They aren’t impressed by that. Sadly, a number of folks make that stuff up anyway, so it makes them marvel in case you are mendacity. Act such as you would act in the event you have been assembly with a lawyer. Maintain it pleasant, however businesslike.
3. Try the writer on-line earlier than the assembly.
Discover out what sorts of songs they get lower and through which genres they get cuts. You don’t wish to meet with a writer, play them 5 nice pop songs and have them inform you “We actually solely do nation.” Do your homework prematurely. Studying what songs they’ve gotten lower additionally helps you study what sorts of songs they like.
4. Go away them wanting extra.
One of many WORST issues you are able to do is go in and simply try and play them as many songs as you possibly can. Select your 3-Four greatest. Play these. In the event that they ask to listen to extra, then play a pair extra. If not, thank them for his or her time, wind up the dialog and transfer on.
5. Respect their time.
Inform them upfront, “I received’t take up a lot of your time, I simply wished to play you a few songs and get to know you.” Because the assembly strikes alongside, you may even ask “Do I’ve time to play you another?” All of these issues allow them to know you’re going to respect their time and never monopolize their entire afternoon.”
6. Thank them.
Regardless of the consequence of the assembly, be gracious, form and grateful. That’s one of the simplest ways to get one other shot even in the event you didn’t WOW them this time.
7. In the event that they ask you to ship them some extra songs, don’t ship 20!
Once more, be respectful of time and allow them to ask YOU for extra. Your 20 music CD will possible wind up within the trash. A 2 music CD will in all probability get a pay attention.
8. Don’t argue with them in the event that they don’t like your music.
You’re there to study, so pay attention and study. Don’t inform them that everybody again residence loves the music. That’s a fast ticket to the freeway.
9. Study out of your errors.
If the final 5 publishers didn’t like your music referred to as “Daddy, Can I Bum A Cigarette”, don’t hold pitching that one. There comes a time if you surrender on a music and simply write higher ones. You’re time can be higher spent engaged on writing higher songs that each one 5 do publishers like!
10. Calm down and be your self.
Making an attempt too laborious is among the greatest killers with publishers. They don’t need somebody bowing at their ft. Be cool, form and assured.
If you happen to work on these 10 issues, you’ll get quite a bit farther together with your songwriter’s pitch to publishers IF you’ve nice songs.
Write on!
~MD